Before it was cool to complain about man-made earthquakes, the education funding crisis, botched executions, mass incarceration, opioid epidemic and all the other fun bad stuff affecting our state, the number one thing to gripe about in Oklahoma was the disastrous condition of our roads and bridges.
According to News 9, that long-standing issue is finally being resolved.
Oklahoma's Bridges Are Getting Better
Newly released data show the number of structurally deficient bridges in Oklahoma and across the nation has gone down.
The American Road & Transportation Builders Association says the number of structurally deficient bridges in the U.S. has been reduced by 24.5 percent since 2007. Federal bridge data shows Oklahoma has seen one of the biggest decreases in the last 10 years.
Currently, Oklahoma has 3,460 structurally deficient bridges, which is 15 percent of the total bridges in the state. That percentage is the 8th most in the country. In 2007, Oklahoma had 5,928 structurally deficient bridges. That's a 41.6 percent change in the right direction over that time, the 8th biggest negative percentage change in the nation.
Wow. We only have 3,460 structurally deficient bridges!? That's awesome! Who's ready for a scenic road trip across our state's derelict back-roads to celebrate!
Actually, I can think of one person who isn't ready. That would be the person who drives this car: